Tony Snell scored 17, including five 3-pointers, to lead No. 15 New Mexico past San Diego State 60-50 in the semifinal round of the Mountain West Conference tournament Friday night.

Top-seeded New Mexico will defend its tournament title on Saturday.

Also for the Lobos (28-5), Cameron Bairstow added 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Alex Kirk had 15 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks.

Xavier Thames and Chase Tapley each led San Diego State with 14 points apiece.

The Lobos used a 24-4 run that lasted from late first half into early second half. The teams played in front of a sellout crowd that including an estimated 6,000 raucous New Mexico fans at the Thomas & Mack Center.